Welcome to the November/December 2011 issue of ENERGY MONTHLY
In this issue...
Introduction
As we approach the winter months, I am increasing focused on one of the best possible lighting opportunities available—outdoor lighting. It seems more relevant now, because the outside lights are on when I leave my office.
Until recently, outdoor lighting was overlooked by many energy conscious companies because the total savings seemed small in comparison to the indoor retrofits. Also, outdoor solutions appeared to be less cost effective. In truth, neither of these objections is valid and an enormous amount of energy and money is being wasted by old inefficient outdoor fixtures.
There are new outdoor technologies that may not have been available when the indoor lighting was completed. We now can select from 4 different technologies that will provide an efficient outdoor solution. This is one area of lighting efficiency where LEDs can provide some good choices.
There is one added incentive to allow Aelux to look at your outdoor lighting ASAP. There is a tax benefit that will permit a 100% deduction for this year so long as the project begins in 2011. After this year, the deduction falls to 50% in the first year, still far better that “normal” depreciation, but not as good as 100%.
When you leave your facility tonight, take a good look at the outdoor lighting and think about how your business could benefit from all the added savings.
Skip Pasternak
President, Aelux
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The Art and Science of Lighting Controls
The idea of lighting control technology originated in the 1950’s when practical lighting dimmers were introduced into everyday living. These ingenious and useful devices offered energy saving properties.
More than 50 years later, there are hundreds of lighting control devices and systems available for a variety of lighting efforts. Current options include fluorescent, low-voltage and LED light sources. These lighting controls are embraced in commercial applications, from hotels and hospitals to educational facilities and warehouse spaces. The increased demand of intelligent lighting control systems is due to a 50% reduction in lighting energy consumption when installed into an existing building, offering light where and when you need it.
The advancement of lighting technology eliminates lighting control issues and has the potential to save 40% of an organization’s electricity budget. Although this information is public knowledge, it is puzzling as to why more facility managers are not diligently seeking options that can potentially save thousands of dollars. Longstanding misconceptions and lighting technology myths are restraining facility managers from taking the next step to realize the cost savings of intelligent technologies.
Lighting technology myths debunked:
MYTH #1: A fluorescent light takes more energy to start-up than to operate
Older generations of fluorescent lamps and ballasts went through a starting cycle which used a higher level of energy and lasted for a few seconds. Today’s lamps and ballasts typically reach normal operating currents in less than 0.1 seconds. The energy used during this start-up process is about the equivalent of operating the lamp for five seconds. (Source)
MYTH #2: Lighting controls shorten lamp life, making them bad investments
Although a lamp’s service life decreases with more frequent cycling, its lifecycle is more dependent on the manufacturers’ lamp life rating, the frequency of cycling and the cost of energy. Actual savings will vary with the number of times the lamp is started, the type of lamp and ballast installed, and the cost of electricity. Using manufacturers’ data, the service life of a lamp can be significantly increased using lighting controls. Savings can be further enhanced by controlling lamps during the facility’s peak electrical usage period. (Source)
MYTH #3: Dimming systems don’t work with fluorescent lamps
Fluorescent lamps cannot be dimmed using incandescent lamp dimmers; however, dimming is possible using special dimming ballasts. Fluorescent lamps have a large range of dimming, making the systems particularly suitable in a wide range of applications that currently use incandescent lamps. (Source)
MYTH #4: Occupancy sensors leave you in the dark or cycle too frequently
Occupancy sensors are some of the most widely used control systems and can reduce lighting use by up to 90 percent. Yet some fear these types of controls may leave occupants in the dark.
Darkness associated with occupancy sensors is usually not a failure of the sensor but rather an installation or application error. By selecting the right type of occupancy control and by properly placing that control, most false readings can be eliminated. To further alleviate concerns, a single, low wattage fixture can be switched on at all times to provide backup lighting. Frequent cycling is not a concern, because if measured by total operating hours, it can actually extend the calendar life of the lamps, particularly in applications where light is only needed a small fraction of the time. (Source)
Contact an Aelux Representative by phone, Toll Free 1-866-44-AELUX, or contact us online, and be sure to mention your interest in controls when scheduling your complimentary lighting audit.
Lighting Insight—Quality Outdoor Lighting
Quality outdoor lighting is more than an energy efficient bulb; it is about providing light where you need it, when you need it—avoiding the pollution of our night’s sky. Lighting pollution is growing at a rate of four percent annually, and the cost of light pollution goes beyond mere billions of dollars. Nearly 4 million tons of coal or 13 million barrels of oil are wasted every year by improper outdoor lighting.
Light pollution obscures more than the Milky Way. Human-produced light pollution disrupts ecosystems, affects human circadian rhythms causing health risks, and wastes energy to the tune of $2.2 billion per year in the U.S. alone.
Bob Parks, Executive Director of the International Dark-Sky Association, explains that, in refreshing contrast to some of today’s complex and lingering environmental problems, many existing solutions to light pollution are simple, cost-effective and instantaneous. (Source)
Night shot of recent dark sky compliant retrofit for Don Rosen Audi of Willow Grove PA. Replacing 1000w Metal Halide fixtures with 500w Induction fixtures resulted in major increases in light levels, dark sky compliance, and significant energy & maintenance savings.
Fluorescent Light Bulb Prices on the Rise
This summer a group of rare earth metals used in the production of fluorescent and CFL light bulbs known as phosphors more than doubled in price in a matter of just two weeks.
This price increase came as China tightened control of mining, production and exports, according to market researcher Industrial Minerals. In 1999, the United States ceased production of rare earth metals in an effort to protect our natural resources, making China one of the largest rare earth metal producers in the world. Inevitably, Chinese export quotas are certainly less than world demand.
Companies in the U.S. and Australia are rushing to restart “mothballed projects” to meet the gap in supply, hoping to bring a Californian mine into production in the second half of 2012. The goal is to double the mine’s annual capacity to 40,000 metric tons by the end of 2013.
Currently, cost relief looks to be a few years out, especially as rare earth metals are used in a variety of growing demand products including wind turbines, hybrid cars and defense applications such as guided missiles. (Source)
We are already experiencing rising costs, and anticipate additional increases in the future. Yet another compelling reason to not wait to retrofit or re-lamp to more efficient technology.
Meet the Team
Aelux is pleased to announce that Michael Crotty has joined the organization as Vice President of Sales. Michael joins our company with sales, marketing and operations experience in the Industrial, Aerospace and Material Handling markets where he worked with Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson Controls, Ingersoll Rand and Illinois Tool Works. Most recently, Michael worked as a private consultant helping small to medium size businesses capitalize on efficiency, sales cycle reporting, and sales opportunity assessments. Specializing in value selling and strategic development, he has developed and lead teams focused on exceeding client performance expectations in all phases of the business life-cycle.
Michael earned his BA degree in Economics at the Virginia Military Institute and has continued his education through associations such as Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA), the American Management Association (AMA) as well as several trade organizations. He has authored several articles on sales development and strategic planning, and is a welcome addition to the team.
